Today’s Lunch – 8th January 2020

Published January 8, 2020 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

My appointments are all starting back again way too soon. Yesterday, I returned to Clifton hill to see my GP and as my favourite cafe is not yet back after Christmas, I found another place to have a quick light lunch. a rather strong coffee with an almond croissant. Neither as good as at my regular haunt. Over my respite, I wrote some blogposts.

I confess to say over Christmas and the New Year, I’ve only left my apartment on the Friday’s to restock. I have not even checked my letterbox. Do I feel badly? No, I do not.

Tuesday ended with my egg dealer delivering my eggs. In my efforts to create community, I have become the middle person between my egg supplier, Bill who I prefer to call my egg dealer and about four others for free range happy-eggs! I was expecting him Thursday evening but he ended up in the area earlier. Just in time for a true wog classic. Poached eggs in sauce, these were the two eggs before I put them in the sauce. Feel free to count?

The trays of eggs are 20 to a tray. My masseuse is not back from India until next week and she has forty eggs awaiting her return. I then of course like to remind people if they don’t collect them In a timely manner, I don’t want to wake up in the morning surrounded by 100 baby chicks recently hatched.

To be clear, I think Bill delivers the day the eggs get picked. You realise, eggs do not grow on trees? And eggs need to be sat on, by a hen for some weeks or kept warm another artificial way to hatch presuming they are even viable.

My mum had about twenty chooks when I lived up in the country 20 years ago. So, in short waking up surrounded by little yellow chicks. Not going to happen. But I hope you can imagine the image I just described…..?

Poor Mika would be beside herself! Get them off me!

Also, don’t think I’ve ignored the worldwide exposure of the bushfires in Australia! Melbourne has a Smokey haze over it. Homes and lives have been lost and it’s just the start of summer. It’s just the beginning……………

Will be back to normal programming next week for sure!

Today’s Lunch – 18th December 2019

Published December 18, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

It feels like just yesterday was the 1st December and all of a sudden Christmas is next week. I’m not ready! I still haven’t done my Christmas cards yet, not kidding. If you are expecting one? It’s coming, it will just be late.

Last week I had a stressful week thinking my laptop had died, I was not happy. Took a serious effort to work out the not one but both power cords for my laptop had been compromised. One cord had bare wires, the culprit?

Stay tuned Friday for a brand-new post about my plans for Christmas, spoiler alert. I’m staying home with the above alone and stay tuned to appreciate why it’s the best option.

Meanwhile, really need a stress-free lunch today. So, here it is, Chicken and Tumeric salad and medicine.

And I got a present from Robert & his wife Nikki.

Today’s Lunch – 4th December 2019

Published December 4, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Anyone else thinking with the arrival of December that Christmas is too soon? I’m still planning to stay-cation. I might get a break, sufficient air-con and I may even watch a few films, I’ve been working on my never-ending list of TV shows. I can’t cull anything. I must watch everything. Since I can’t read books anymore.

Currently, I’m watching season 2 of Pose and crying. And all the appropriate uses of the word ‘Bitch’. Really, it’s eye-opening, sweet, beautiful and sad. But reality for gay men in the early 90’s. Oh, and legs that go on for days. Those bitches! Really!

Yesterday I went to the city to attend a launch of a project I participated with earlier this year. So, today I bring you the link to the website from the project Opening Doors. Watch my video if you dare.

Our Lived Experience

I’ve only seen a little of it so far but, you saw the photo of me in my study a few weeks back. When I walked into the gallery space and saw it, I thought I looked really pissed off, I was told others thought I looked strong. The space yesterday for the launch allowed some interaction. Here’s what I added to the picture of me.

Meanwhile, where were we? Oh yes. Our standard foodie post. Today’s lunch is brain grain salad and medicine to help my migraine!

Today’s Lunch – 20th November 2019

Published November 20, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Happy hump day! It’s hot in Melbourne today! Have I ever mentioned how much I love hot weather? (Sarcasm) Yeah, that’s because I don’t! And I’m out in it……all day!

Even though my AVM (Artereovenous Malformation) has been fried with radiation so it’s not at risk of a bleed, a stroke or even blood flow but in hot weather my brain is not happy. My left side of my body works even worse than normal. So, my AFO and Shoe wears not quite right. My body compensates by just pushing through and smashing it out. I still have all the same deadlines. The same appointments to get to. At least once home I have air-conditioning and cold water in the fridge. Once home the cool change will throw my brain into a brain freeze. I predict a kip until my brain and body normalises. Welcome to my summer!

Meanwhile, luckily as I was here yesterday, much cooler. I had yummy sausage roll with relish and a side salad and medicine and macaron. Everything else had sold out!

Meanwhile, today’s lunch consisted of…….the brain grain salad. And medicine.

Glad I’m at home for the most part tomorrow for an even hotter day!

Meanwhile my Egg-Dealer is back from his holiday in Queensland! Putting in a huge order. Hoping the eggs don’t fry in my apartment or hatch! Got a mental image of little chicks chasing Mika! “Muma? Muma?” To cement the image, I’m ordering 140 eggs! Poor Mika!

Today’s Lunch – 30th October 2019

Published October 30, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

This week’s post is all about the food! Food of the gods maybe, and the reason for food and celebrating is because last week I was 46 and now I’m a whole year older. I’m never super happy around my birthday. Not complaining about getting older. The other option is not to be here and it’s not an option. It’s just being alone brings up all kinds of issues and loneliness. Family usually get together to eat amazing food somewhere but I’m always left feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Sunday went to Hellenic Republic in Brunswick! (It’s got my name on it!) It’s the restaurant owned by the recently departed master chef judge George Columbaris (he didn’t die btw!) It’s modern Greek food. So good!

We start with dips and bread, olives, some salads and two slow cooked meats, including a lamb shoulder apparently for two, but we have so much to choose from we share between five! Not to mention Saganaki and haloumi cheese. Rolled home to have Hummingbird cake. I request it from time to time and my mum makes it. Was so happy I skipped dinner, had a big beck’s mug of water instead.

On my birthday, got to have late lunch with my lovely masseuse Caroline. Went to a cool hipster cafe in Northcote called Tinker. And had this hot cake with Persian fairy-floss on top. Caroline was very impressed with my efforts to finish it. Repeat of last night’s dinner.

And today, back at my favourite cafe in Fitzroy North. I’ve always thought it was in Clifton Hill but all this time I’ve been wrong. Recent weeks has seen me not make it here but today I skipped something to be here. Thought I’d concentrate on my once a year slice of this amazing goodness. I call it the Salted chocolate thing, thing, thing! Because I forget it’s called the ……………Montalbano.

This was after a very healthy lunch of pancetta quiche with side salad and medicine!

Then I’ve got a photo shoot here later! To be continued……..

Cheers H

Today’s Lunch – 23rd October 2019

Published October 23, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Got an amusing story to share of my Monday, hope you appreciate it. Monday, I did some voluntary work for a group where my task was to ask the clients/patients to fill in a survey of 66 questions. As the people had not met me before I attempted to convey confidence to the staff that I would be fine to do as I had been asked. The waiting room was full, an older man in the corner had the nod’s or soon after was fast asleep.

I reassured her by saying, “I’m going to work that waiting room like a pole dancer works a pole!” and I did.

By the time I left I’d been standing for 3 hours. I couldn’t feel my left leg. When I could it really hurt,
I went home and smashed out my admin.

Tuesday, I had some torture with my beautician, followed by more at home with my nueropsych. Actually, the second appointment wasn’t torture.

Today, I have the meeting I was a week early for. It includes lunch so here is today’s offering a vegie Frittata with a side salad and medicine.

Mmmmmmmmm…………Got a migraine to medicate!

Stay tuned, next week I will bring some amazing treats from my foodie-celebratory week!

Today’s Lunch – 9th October 2019

Published October 9, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Full disclosure, day lights savings began this weekend past and Sunday around 3pm I was ready for the week to be over already. A busy week again ahead.

Tuesday, I was at the Brain Injury self-advocacy group again. Highlight for the day was when one hapless young man asked me “Are you PREGNANT?”
Yeah, he’s dead now!

Yeah, I then had the pleasure of explaining to him the effects of being this age! I’m referring to being peri-menopausal. I explained to him a side effect of being this age is either you lose weight or you gain weight. So, I actually told him I was not pregnant. I was just fat! I think that question is up there next to asking a woman how old she is. You don’t!

FYI, I’m 46 now and by the end of the month I will be a year older. I’m fine with getting older, I’m just looking at things I should do so I’m another 25 years I don’t look back and have regrets of things I’ve not achieved.

Because Wednesday is meant to be my mid-week foodie post, let’s have some food, shall we? Today’s offering is an Arancini Bolognaise with side salad and medicine!

And here’s a nice sign in Clifton Hill I found yesterday in my travels. Your welcome!

I’m also going to start mentioning TV Shows I’m watching. I’m watching season 15 of Grey’s Bit’s. (Grey’s Anatomy). Season 3 of 13 Reasons Why and my I have to get out of the apartment and go do Person show has been The Kids are alright. A nice flashback to the 70’s! I do watch things way past they are released but it’s because I watch sooooo much TV. Meredith Grey is my Spirit Animal.

Today’s Lunch – 25th September 2019

Published September 25, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Yesterday, had a nice adventure planned and by 8am the wheels fell off. My fill-in carer had rung in sick and I was asked if I wanted them to be replaced? Just imagine I do like a shower each day, so I said yes please but, my agency outsourced me to another agency, who got lost 3 suburbs away and by the time she found me it was lunchtime.

I was in the mood to hibernate. I also thought I’d make up for doing full “Person” on Saturday, I also did hours of admin sitting at my desk. Here is Mika, her idea of helping me.

That’s right, I went out! I went up and down several times in the lift and ran into people. It’s amazing how many people you see if you keep normal hours. I was even able to help a guy who was attempting to get into the garage entrance with a slab of beer in his arms. I called to him as he was about to put it down and clicked the button for the garage gate to open. He seemed pleased and surprised.

I had been waiting for my sister to pull in to “bump in/bump out” she bought me a vacuum cleaner as mine recently died and she collected some goodies for my dad. Ok, our dad. She was going up to stay with him for a few days before going onto Canberra with our younger sister. We had lunch locally.

I did take photos but they did not work! Again! Reasons why Helen cannot do Insta. I did however make my second last bread and butter pudding Sunday night. I even had some, I normally portion and package it all up to give away. Have delivered some today and while none is going to Sydney to my administrator Noelle. She is getting a box full of goodies. Should arrive Monday?

Another crazy day, not even getting to my favourite cafe in North Fitzroy. Stayed close to my last appointment in Thornbury for lunch instead. Today’s offering a black bean pie, with a little salad and relish and medicine.

Now, off to get stabbed!

Cheers

H

Today’s Lunch – 18th September 2019

Published September 18, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Really struggling to keep on top of things at the moment. Failing at so many things and feeling sad about it. Allow me to list but a few………

Failing at my emails…..
Failing at my followers emails……..sorry. Very, very sorry. Still!
Failing at getting to bed at a more reasonable time.
So, failing at sleep clinic!
Failing at being a good friend, so I’m told ……….
Failing at getting my shit done so I can maintain some semblance of a pain-free life.
Or at least making it look like I’m not failing at life.
Failing at keeping anxiety and depression at bay.
Failing at not swearing at my GP appointments.
Said Fuck 7 times yesterday! I asked.
I thought I had been holding back!

Felt like such a zombie yesterday I had a double-shot latte with lunch. I had a brain grain salad. It is very good.

Today’s lunch, a Moroccan chicken salad and instead of my standard medicine today…. I’m having a London Fog!

And now for the Little Red Truck, always brings a smile to my face…

On the upside, it’s only mid-September and I’ve achieved my New Year’s resolution. I finished that bottle of Baileys I had been storing in my fridge for the last two Christmas’s. Got a taste for Baileys now. Also had a delivery from my Egg-Dealer! It always makes me Egg-cited! Get it?

Cheers,
H

Today’s Lunch – 11th September 2019

Published September 11, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Another mid-week post, it’s not getting old. Good food, better medicine. My favourite cafe never gets old. What gets old is doing adult so much it’s squeezing time to eat and write into oblivion. Note, the less lunch my lunch resembles and more like afternoon tea.

Yesterday, was at the self-advocacy group I attend. Picked up some comedy tickets for next March! Yippy! Stay tuned for that!

Here is a photo of what’s referred to as the witches’ hat in the Arts Precinct in Melbourne.

Note the beautiful spring day in Melbourne.

Today’s offering is Carrot cake and medicine (One of my serves of vegetables every day!) and the pretty strawberry daiquiri my lovely assistant is having.